Postal Workers Snub Clinton, Back Sanders

[hay rick]

95. NALC (city letter carriers) is currently polling its members on their choice for President.

They sent their questionnaire to all the candidates. None of the Republicans answered their questions. Clinton, Sanders, and O'Malley all gave detailed to 15 questions- 20 pages worth of answers in total. Q&A here: https://www.nalc.org/news/the-postal-record/2015/november-2015/document/11-2015_candidates.pdf.

Of general interest would be the candidates remarks on Social Security starting on page 14 of the linked article. Quotes from answers to question 11E: "Increasing or reducing Social Security benefits (by adopting, for example, a chained Consumer Price Index (CPI) for cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), or by adjusting the COLA formula to reflect the purchasing patterns of elderly Americans). (Support or Oppose) Explain why."

Clinton: "... I will oppose any plan that tries to close Social Security’s shortfall on the backs of the middle class, whether in terms of middle class tax increases or benefit cuts, accounting gimmicks like a chained CPI, or privatization attempts."

O'Malley: "I support using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) instead of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W) to determine Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustments. The CPI-E provides a more accurate reflection of the higher cost of living for retirees than the current measure, which focuses on younger workers. Using the CPI-E will ensure that benefits do not erode for future generations of retirees."

Sanders: " Let’s be clear: the chained CPI is not a “minor tweak.” It is a significant benefit cut that will make it harder for permanently disabled veterans and the elderly to feed their families, heat their homes, pay for their prescription drugs, and make ends meet. This misguided proposal must be vigorously opposed."

As a retired member, I get to fill out a prepaid postcard with my choice. They will publish the results. I was a union officer for most of my 30+ year postal career. I am proud of my union and our Democratic presidential candidates.